Grandhomme's Century Keeps New Zealand Alive In 2nd Test

Christchurch: Colin de Grandhomme smashed his highest Test score — an unbeaten 120 off 158 balls — as New Zealand continued to stay alive in the second Test, despite South Africa taking a first-innings lead and then swelling their advantage to 211 runs at stumps on Day 3 at the Hagley Oval on Sunday.

Despite the 35-year-old de Grandhomme's heroics, the Blackcaps conceded a 71-run lead after being bowled out of 293. However, Tom Latham's bowlers have kept the home team in the hunt, restricting the Proteas to 140/5 at stumps on Sunday.

Continuing from an overnight score of 157/5 and still trailing South Africa by 207 runs, the pair of Daryl Mitchell and de Grandhomme frustrated the South African attack on the third day. De Grandhomme — whose previous highest in 27 Tests was 105 — started the day positively with a boundary off the first ball of the day and Mitchell followed suit with a four of his own in the next over to set the ball rolling.

Mitchell soon brought up his third Test fifty of his career, piercing the gap between mid-on and mid-wicket. De Grandhomme, at the other end, continued to play aggressively, hitting first-change bowler of the day, Wiaan Mulder, for two consecutive boundaries.

The Proteas finally struck through Keshav Maharaj, who trapped Mitchell in front of the stumps for 60, thus ending a fine 133-run partnership. De Grandhomme was more circumspect in his approach in his 90s and got to his second Test century.

The visitors got another wicket on the stroke of lunch as Kyle Jamieson fell to the leg-gully trap, with Marco Jansen targetting the ribs of the batter. Jansen again executed the 'trap' to perfection against Tim Southee, who mistimed the pull to mid-wicket. Neil Wagner played an 18-ball 21 before Kagiso Rabada wrapped up the innings with consecutive wickets to complete his five-for.

Brief scores: South Africa 364 and 140/5 (Rassie van der Dussen 45; Tim Southee 2/28, Neil Wagner 2/44) vs New Zealand 293 (Henry Nicholls 39, Daryl Mitchell 60, Colin de Grandhomme 120 not out; Marco Jansen 4/98, Kagiso Rabada 5/60). SA lead by 211 runs.

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